Imaging apparatus and imaging method

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and a program that enable operation in which a display unit is brought into a turn-off state when a predetermined time elapses after start of capturing a moving image, a command from a remote commander is accepted and executed, and the captured moving image is output to an external apparatus. In a case where a manipulation unit that outputs a command depending on content of a user manipulation is manipulated and a command causing a moving image to be recorded on a recording medium is output, recording of the moving image is started and the display unit is controlled to a turn-off state in which an image is not displayed. The present disclosure can be applied to an imaging apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase of International PatentApplication No. PCT/JP2017/036455 filed on Oct. 6, 2017, which claimspriority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2016-207107 filedin the Japan Patent Office on Oct. 21, 2016. Each of theabove-referenced applications is hereby incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus, an imagingmethod, and a program, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus,an imaging method, and a program in which a display unit is brought intoa turn-off state when a predetermined time elapses after start ofrecording an image, the turn-off state is maintained even when a commandfrom a remote commander is received, and the display unit is returned toa display state only when a manipulation unit of a main body ismanipulated.

BACKGROUND ART

In an imaging apparatus of recent years, a display unit for displaying apreview image or an image being captured is provided in the main body ofthe imaging apparatus. While watching the preview image or the imagebeing captured displayed on the display unit, a user changes theorientation of the imaging apparatus main body and adjusts the angle ofview to be captured.

However, in a case where a captured image is recorded for a long periodof time, continuation of the display state of the display unit which isnot frequently viewed results in increases in unnecessary powerconsumption due to backlight of the display unit or the like.

In view of this, there has been proposed an imaging apparatus that turnsoff the display unit to reduce the power consumption in a long period oftime imaging mode in which exposure time is long (see Patent Document1).

CITATION LIST Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2015-222879

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, with the imaging apparatus described in Patent Document 1described above, it is not possible to accept a command from a remotecontroller and execute the command in a state in which the display unitis turned off or to output a moving image being captured to an externalapparatus when the moving image is captured.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, andparticularly enables operation in which while a display unit is broughtinto a turn-off state when a predetermined time elapses from start ofcapturing a moving image, a command from a remote commander is acceptedand executed and a captured moving image is output to an externalapparatus.

Solutions to Problems

The imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosureis an image apparatus including: an imaging unit configured to capturean image; a manipulation unit configured to accept a user manipulationand give an instruction of an operation depending on content of theaccepted manipulation; and a display control unit configured to controldisplay of the captured image, in which the display control unitcontrols the display of the image from a display state to a turn-offstate in a case where a predetermined time elapses in a state in whichmanipulation with respect to the manipulation unit is not detected afterstart of a predetermined operation.

The display control unit can be caused to control the display of theimage from the display state to the turn-off state in a case where apredetermined time elapses in a state in which manipulation with respectto the manipulation unit is not accepted after start of a recordingoperation as the predetermined operation.

The display control unit can be caused to control the display of theimage from the turn-off state to the display state in a case where therecording operation is stopped after control is performed from thedisplay state in which the image is displayed to the turn-off state inwhich the display of the image is turned off.

The display control unit can be caused to control the display of theimage from the turn-off state to the display state in a case wheremanipulation is accepted by the manipulation unit after the display ofthe image is controlled from the display state to the turn-off state.

A reception unit configured to receive a signal from a remotemanipulation unit that is external to an apparatus main body andconfigured to accept a user manipulation and transmit an instructiondepending on the content of the accepted manipulation as the signal canbe further included, in which the display control unit can be caused tocontrol the display of the image from the display state to the turn-offstate in a case where a predetermined time elapses in a state in whichmanipulation with respect to the manipulation unit is not accepted andin a state in which the signal from the remote manipulation unit is notreceived via the reception unit after start of the recording operationas the predetermined operation.

The display control unit can be caused to perform control to maintainthe turn-off state even in a case where the signal from the remotemanipulation unit is received via the reception unit after the displayof the image is controlled from the display state to the turn-off state.

The reception unit can be caused to receive an instruction from a remotecommander or a smartphone depending on the content of the usermanipulation with respect to the remote commander or the smartphone asthe remote manipulation unit.

An input/output unit configured to constantly output the image capturedby the imaging unit to external equipment connected to the outside canbe further included.

The input/output unit can be caused to accept, via the externalequipment, input of the signal from the remote manipulation unit that isexternal to the external equipment and configured to accept the usermanipulation and transmit an instruction depending on the content of theaccepted manipulation as the signal, and the display control unit can becaused to control the display of the image from the display state to theturn-off state in a case where a predetermined time elapses in a statein which the manipulation with respect to the manipulation unit is notaccepted and in a state in which the manipulation with respect to theremote manipulation unit is not accepted via the input/output unit afterstart of the predetermined operation.

The display control unit can be caused to perform control to maintainthe turn-off state even when the signal from the remote manipulationunit is accepted via the input/output unit after the display of theimage is controlled from the display state to the turn-off state.

The external equipment can be a display apparatus configured to displayan image captured by the imaging unit.

The predetermined operation can be a recording operation, a power-onoperation, or various setting operations.

An abnormality detection unit configured to detect occurrence of anabnormality can be further included, in which in a case where anabnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit, the displaycontrol unit can be caused to control the display of the image to thedisplay state.

A setting unit configured to perform setting related to imaging by theimaging unit can be further included, in which under a condition thatthe setting related to the imaging by the imaging unit is completed bythe setting unit, the display control units can be caused to control thedisplay of the image from the display state to the turn-off state in acase where a predetermined time elapses in a state in which themanipulation with respect to the manipulation unit is not accepted afterstart of the predetermined operation.

The imaging method according to an aspect of the present disclosure isan imaging method including steps of: capturing an image; accepting auser manipulation and giving an instruction of an operation depending oncontent of the accepted manipulation; and controlling display of thecaptured image, in which the display of the image is controlled from adisplay state to a turn-off state in a case where a predetermined timeelapses in a state in which manipulation with respect to the [a]manipulation unit is not detected after start of a predeterminedoperation.

The program according to an aspect of the present disclosure is aprogram causing a computer to function as: an imaging unit configured tocapture an image; a manipulation unit configured to accept a usermanipulation and give an instruction of an operation depending oncontent of the accepted manipulation; and a display control unitconfigured to control display of the captured image, in which thedisplay control unit controls the display of the image from a displaystate to a turn-off state in a case where a predetermined time elapsesin a state in which manipulation with respect to the manipulation unitis not detected after start of a predetermined operation.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image is captured,a user manipulation is accepted, an instruction of an operationdepending on content of the accepted manipulation is given, display ofthe captured image is controlled, and the display of the image iscontrolled from the display state to the turn-off state in a case wherea predetermined time elapses in a state in which manipulation withrespect to the manipulation unit is not detected after start of apredetermined operation.

Effects of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the display unit canbe brought into the turn-off state when a predetermined time elapsesafter start of capturing a moving image, a command from the remotecommander can be accepted and executed, and moreover the captured movingimage can be output to the external apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an external appearance of an imaging apparatusto which the technique of the present disclosure has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an external appearance of an imaging apparatusto which the technique of the present disclosure has been applied.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an external appearance of an imaging apparatusto which the technique of the present disclosure has been applied.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an external appearance of an imagingapparatus to which the technique of the present disclosure has beenapplied.

FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining a functional configuration example forachieving the imaging apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining imaging processing performed by theimaging apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining imaging processing performed by theimaging apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining imaging processing performed by theimaging apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining a configuration example of ageneral-purpose personal computer.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Notethat, in this description and the drawings, configuration elements thathave substantially the same function and configuration are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation is omitted.

<Configuration Example of External Appearance of Imaging Apparatus>

The imaging apparatus of the present disclosure captures a moving imageand, moreover, in a case of recording a captured image, brings thedisplay unit into the turn-off state. When a user manipulation isdetected by an external manipulation apparatus, e.g., a remotecommander, with the display unit being in the turn-off state, a commandcorresponding to the manipulation content is transmitted, and theimaging apparatus can accept and execute the command. Furthermore, theimaging apparatus of the present disclosure can output the capturedmoving image to a display apparatus, which is an external apparatus, andcause the display apparatus to display the captured moving image withthe display unit provided on the apparatus main body being in theturn-off state. Before description is given of the imaging apparatus ofthe present disclosure, first a configuration example of the externalappearance of the imaging apparatus to which the present technology hasbeen applied is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the external appearance of theimaging apparatus.

The imaging apparatus 11 includes, for example, a digital camera and thelike, and is configured such that a user, a cameraman, has the imagingapparatus 11 with the hand to perform imaging, and furthermore theimaging apparatus 11 can be fixed to a bicycle, a ceiling, a wall, orthe like to perform imaging.

The imaging apparatus 11 includes, on a front surface, a lens 21 forguiding light from a subject to an imaging element, which is notillustrated. Furthermore, a sound collection unit 22-1 and a soundcollection unit 22-2 including a microphone for collecting ambientsounds during imaging of a moving image are provided below the lens 21in the front surface part of the imaging apparatus 11 in the drawing.Basically, sounds collected by the sound collection unit 22-1 are rightchannel sounds and sounds collected by the sound collection unit 22-2are left channel sounds.

Note that the sound collection unit 22-1 and the sound collection unit22-2 are hereinafter also simply called the sound collection unit 22 ina case where there is no particular necessity for distinction.

A tally lamp 23 is provided on an upper left of the front surface partof the imaging apparatus 11 in the drawing. The tally lamp 23 isconfigured to be turned on during imaging of a moving image by theimaging apparatus 11 and turned off in a state where imaging of a movingimage is not performed.

Furthermore, usually, when a moving image or a still image is capturedby the imaging apparatus 11, imaging is performed with the upper surfaceindicated by arrow A11 facing upward in the vertical direction, i.e.,with the bottom surface indicated by arrow A12 facing the ground.

Therefore, the upper surface of the imaging apparatus 11 includes apower button 41, a shutter button 42, a sound output unit 43, and thelike as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2. Note that FIG. 2illustrates an upper surface view of the imaging apparatus 11 viewedfrom top to bottom in FIG. 1.

The power button 41 is a button to be manipulated when the power of theimaging apparatus 11 is turned on/off. The shutter button 42 ismanipulated, for example, to capture a still image, to start imaging ofa moving image, or to stop imaging of a moving image.

The sound output unit 43 includes, for example, a speaker and the like,and reproduces sounds of a moving image when the moving image isreproduced.

Furthermore, on a surface opposite to the front surface of the imagingapparatus 11 illustrated in FIG. 1, i.e., on the back surface of theimaging apparatus 11, for example, various buttons or the like areprovided as illustrated in the right part of FIG. 3. Note that, in theright part of FIG. 3, the upper side of the right part of FIG. 3 of theimaging apparatus 11 is the upper surface side and the lower side of theright part of FIG. 3 of the imaging apparatus 11 is the bottom surfaceside.

The back surface of the imaging apparatus 11 includes a display unit 61including, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like fordisplaying various images.

Furthermore, a tally lamp 62, a control wheel 63, a menu button 64, anda delete button 65 are provided around the display unit 61.

Similar to the tally lamp 23 provided on the front surface of theimaging apparatus 11, the tally lamp 62 is turned on during imaging of amoving image and turned off in a state where imaging of a moving imageis not performed.

The control wheel 63 is manipulated when manipulation is performed on animage, a menu screen, or the like displayed on the display unit 61.

In more detail, the control wheel 63 can be rotated in arrow directionsin the drawing about a disk-shaped main body. The control wheel 63 ismanipulated, for example, when a cursor or the like is moved upward,downward, rightward, or leftward on the menu screen, when scrollmanipulation for displaying an upper, left, right or left region of animage obtained by imaging is performed depending on rotation, or thelike.

Furthermore, the control wheel 63 functions as buttons 63 a to 63 d thataccept pressing manipulation at each triangle mark indicated by thedotted lines in the drawing and accepts an upward, downward, rightward,or leftward manipulation for cursor movement or an image scrollmanipulation.

Furthermore, the buttons 63 a to 63 d may be assigned a function forachieving various settings. For example, the button 63 a may be assigneda screen display switching function. Furthermore, the button 63 b may beassigned a function for setting exposure compensation. Moreover, thebutton 63 c may be assigned a function for setting a drive mode.Furthermore, the button 63 d may be assigned a function for setting aflash mode.

The central part of the control wheel 63 includes a button 63 e foraccepting pressing manipulation. The button 63 e functions as an enterkey (ok button) for determining selection in a state where a menu screenor the like is displayed.

The menu button 64 is manipulated to cause various menu screens to bedisplayed.

The delete button 65 is a button to be manipulated when an imagedisplayed on the display unit 61 is deleted.

Moreover, as illustrated in the left part of FIG. 3, a cover, which isnot illustrated, is attached to a main body side surface Q11 on the leftside when viewed from the back surface of the imaging apparatus 11. Thecover, which is not illustrated, can be removed from the imagingapparatus 11 when a lock button, which is not illustrated, ismanipulated.

Below the cover, which is not illustrated, on the side surface of themain body of the imaging apparatus 11, various terminals and a slot areprovided as illustrated at the main body side surface Q11 in the leftpart of FIG. 3. Here, the left part of FIG. 3 indicates a state in whichthe cover, which is not illustrated, of the main body side surface Q11is removed.

In this example, under the cover, which is not illustrated, of the mainbody side surface Q11 of the imaging apparatus 11, a terminal 70 ofhigh-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) (registered trademark) and aterminal 71 of universal serial bus (USB) (registered trademark) areprovided as input/output terminals for connection to the outside.

Furthermore, under the cover, which is not illustrated, of the main bodyside surface Q11 of the imaging apparatus 11, a terminal 72 forattachment of a microphone, a slot 73, which is a port for insertion ofa removable recording medium that can be attached to or detached fromthe imaging apparatus 11, and a medium access lamp 74 for giving anotice of access or the like to the removable recording medium areprovided.

Furthermore, on the bottom surface of the imaging apparatus 11, a socket91, which is a fixation part for fixing the imaging apparatus 11 to atripod or the like, is provided as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4.When the imaging apparatus 11 is fixed to a ceiling, a wall or the likeby means of the socket 91, imaging or the like can be performed with theimaging apparatus 11 being in an inversed state or being rotated 90degrees.

<Functional Configuration Example of Imaging Apparatus>

Next, a functional configuration example of the imaging apparatus 11 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example ofthe imaging apparatus 11. Note that parts corresponding to those in thecase of FIGS. 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals inFIG. 5 and description is omitted as appropriate.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, remote manipulation of the imagingapparatus 11 can be performed by a remote manipulator 121. Externalequipment 122 including a recorder with a display, a display, or thelike can be connected to the imaging apparatus 11, for example, with theuse of an HDMI cable or a USB cable to the terminal 70 for HDMI, theterminal 71 for USB or the like described above. Further description isgiven below on the basis of the assumption that the external equipment122 is a display apparatus including a display or the like. Furthermore,remote manipulation of the external equipment 122 and the imagingapparatus 11 can be performed by external equipment remote manipulator123 dedicated to the external equipment 122. Note that the externalequipment 122 is hereinafter also called the display apparatus 122.Furthermore, the external equipment remote manipulator 123, which is asource for transmitting a command to the imaging apparatus 11, is simplycalled the remote manipulator 123 in a case where there is no particularnecessity for distinction with respect to the remote manipulator 121.

The imaging apparatus 11 includes an imaging unit 131, the soundcollection unit 22, a manipulation unit 132, a control unit 133, aremovable recording medium 134, the sound output unit 43, the displayunit 61, a communication unit 135, the input/output terminal 136, and abattery 137.

The imaging unit 131 includes the lens 21 illustrated in FIG. 1, animaging element or the like. The imaging unit 131 captures an image byreceiving and photoelectrically converting light from a subject undercontrol of the control unit 133, and feeds an image data of the obtainedimage to the control unit 133. Note that the image obtained by theimaging unit 131 is hereinafter also particularly called the capturedimage.

The sound collection unit 22 collects ambient sounds under control ofthe control unit 133 and feeds sound data of the resultant collectedsounds to the control unit 133.

The manipulation unit 132 includes, for example, the power button 41 andthe shutter button 42 illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper control wheel 63illustrated in FIG. 3 (including the buttons 63 a to 63 e), the menubutton 64, the delete button 65, a touch panel provided in a manner ofbeing superimposed on the display unit 61, and the like. Themanipulation unit 132 detects and accepts a user manipulation, and feedsa signal corresponding to a command corresponding to the manipulationcontent to the control unit 133. In other words, the manipulation unit132 accepts the user manipulation and outputs a signal that gives aninstruction of causing the control unit 133 to execute an operationcorresponding to the accepted manipulation content.

The control unit 133 is driven by power fed from the battery 137 andcontrols the entire operation of the imaging apparatus 11. The controlunit 133 includes a setting unit 151, an on screen display (OSD) imagegeneration unit 152, a display control unit 153, and a recording controlunit 154.

The setting unit 151 performs various settings depending on a signalfrom the manipulation unit 132. The OSD image generation unit 152generates an OSD image.

The OSD image is, for example, an image that indicates a mark indicatingan imaging mode or indicating the remaining charge level of the battery,or an image indicating a mark or an image that indicates varioussettings of a mark or the like that indicates white balance setting, astate related to the imaging apparatus 11, or the like. For example, thecontrol unit 133 calculates the remaining charge level from a residualvoltage of the battery 137 or the like and feeds the remaining chargelevel to the OSD image generation unit 152 to cause the OSD imagegeneration unit 152 to generate an OSD image indicate the remainingcharge level of the battery 137 and, in a case where the remainingcharge level is smaller than a predetermined value, cause the OSD imagegeneration unit 152 to generate an OSD image as a caution imageindicating that the remaining charge level is small. In addition, thecontrol unit 133 detects an abnormality, e.g., overheat, and causes theOSD image generation unit 152 to generate a caution image with respectto the abnormality.

The display control unit 153 controls display of various images on thedisplay unit 61 or the external equipment 122. The recording controlunit 154 controls recording of image data obtained by imaging or sounddata obtained by sound collection on the removable recording medium 134or the external equipment 122.

The removable recording medium 134 is a recording medium that can beattached to or detached from the imaging apparatus 11 and is broughtinto a state of being attached to the imaging apparatus 11 when insertedinto the slot 73 illustrated in FIG. 3. The removable recording medium134 records the image data or the sound data fed from the control unit133 and feeds the recorded image data or sound data to the control unit133 as necessary.

The communication unit 135 receives the command transmitted from theremote manipulator 121 through wireless or wired communication and feedsthe command to the control unit 133.

The remote manipulator 121 is, for example, a remote commander that isdedicated to the imaging apparatus 11 or is a general-purpose remotecommander, and transmits a command through wireless communication, e.g.,infrared, or wired communication via the terminal 71 or the like. Inaddition, the remote manipulator 121 may be achieved by a smartphone orthe like such that application software corresponding to the function ofthe remote commander is installed, for example.

The input/output terminal 136 includes, for example, the terminal 70 orthe terminal 71 illustrated in FIG. 3, and is an input/output unit forperforming communication with respect to the external equipment 122.

For example, the input/output terminal 136 outputs the image data or thesound data fed from the control unit 133 to the external equipment 122or outputs the command or the like fed from the external equipment 122to the control unit 133.

Here, description is given of an operation obtained when themanipulation unit 132 is manipulated and an instruction of imaging of amoving image is given.

The display control unit 153 stops the display of the display unit 61into the turn-off state when a predetermined time elapses after start ofrecording a moving image and restores the display of the display unit 61(into the display state) when a certain manipulation is made by themanipulation unit 132. At this time, when the command is input from theremote manipulator 121 or 123 after the display of the display unit 61is brought into the turn-off state when a predetermined time elapsesfrom start of recording a moving image, the control unit 133 executesprocessing corresponding to the command, but the display control unit153 maintains the turn-off state of the display unit 61. However, in acase where the recording of a moving image is stopped, the display unit153 restores the display unit 61 into the display state.

Furthermore, when recording of a moving image is started, the recordingcontrol unit 154 outputs the image data of a moving image captured bythe imaging unit 131 or the sound data obtained by sound collection tothe display apparatus 122, which is external equipment, through theinput/output terminal 136, and causes the display apparatus 122 todisplay the image data or the sound data and causes the removablerecording medium 134 or the external equipment 122 to record the imagedata or the sound data. At this time, even when the display of thedisplay unit 61 is brought into the turn-off state by the displaycontrol unit 153, the recording control unit 154 continues performingoutputting to the display apparatus 122, which is external equipment,and continues performing displaying.

By such an operation, when a moving image is recorded, the display unit61 is brought into the turn-off state after a predetermined time elapsesafter start of capturing a moving image, enabling a reduction in powerconsumption of the display unit 61, which is not frequently viewedduring imaging. Furthermore, in a case where, for example, a stage iscaptured in a dark hall or the like, annoying light can be emitted tothe surrounding area when the display unit 61 is in the display state.However, since the display unit 61 is turned off when a predeterminedtime elapses after start of recording the moving image, it is possibleto suppress generation of the annoying light from the display unit 61.

<Imaging Processing by Imaging Apparatus of FIG. 5>

Next, imaging processing of a moving image by the imaging apparatus 11of FIG. 5 is described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and7.

In step S11 (FIG. 7), when the power is turned on and the imagingapparatus 11 is activated, the display control unit 153 turns on thedisplay unit 61 into a displayable state (display state) to displayinformation corresponding to various processing.

In step S12, the setting unit 151 determines whether or not initialsetting has been completed. In a case where the initial setting has notbeen completed, the processing proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the OSD image generation unit 152 indicates that theinitial setting has not been completed and the initial setting isrequired, displaying information that prompts initial setting on thedisplay unit 61.

In step S14, the setting unit 151 determines whether or not themanipulation unit 132 has been manipulated and an operation ofrequesting input of initial setting has been performed. In a case wherean operation of requesting input of the initial setting is absent, theprocessing returns to step S12. In other words, the processing fromsteps S12 to S14 is repeated until the initial setting is performed.Then, in step S14, in a case where an operation of requesting input ofthe initial setting is performed, the processing proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the OSD image generation unit 152 displays an image ofaccepting input of various initial settings depending on themanipulation content of the manipulation unit 132. At this time, thesetting unit 151 accepts and stores input of the initial settingdepending on the manipulation content of the manipulation unit 132, andthe processing returns to step S11. Herein, the initial setting is, forexample, a setting as to which of the main body of the imaging unit 131:the upper surface, the bottom surface, and the side surface faces upwardin the vertical direction when imaging is performed, or the like.

When the initial setting is performed by the aforementioned series ofprocessing, in step S12, the initial setting is determined as havingbeen completed and the processing proceeds to step S16. Note that thenecessity of the user's initial setting may be eliminated such that anyinitial setting is performed during manufacture before shipping. In thiscase, the processing from steps S12 to S15 may be omitted.

In step S16, the imaging unit 131 captures an image on the basis oflight from a subject, the light being incident via the lens 21, and theimaging unit 131 feeds the image to the control unit 133.

In step S17, the recording control unit 154 outputs the image data of amoving image captured by the imaging unit 131 or the sound data obtainedby sound collection to the display apparatus 122, which is externalequipment, through the input/output terminal 136, and causes the displayapparatus 122 to display the image data or the sound data.

By this processing, as indicated in the left part of FIG. 8, the displayunit 61 is brought into the display state. Therefore, the image capturedby the imaging unit 131 is displayed on the display unit 61. At thistime, the display apparatus 122, which is external equipment, displaysthe image captured by the imaging unit 131, the image being fed from therecording control unit 154.

In step S18, the display control unit 153 is instructed to performrecording by the manipulation unit 132 or one of the remote manipulators121 and 123, and determines whether or not recording of the capturedimage data is in progress. For example, in a case of first processingand where a recording instruction is not given, i.e., in a case whererecording is determined as not being in progress, the processingproceeds to step S28.

In step S28, the display control unit 153 determines whether or not themanipulation unit 132 has been manipulated, i.e., whether or not acertain command has been input by the manipulation, and in the case ofthe presence of a command from the manipulation unit 132 as a result ofthe detection of the manipulation of the manipulation unit 132, theprocessing proceeds to step S29.

In step S29, the control unit 133 executes the processing correspondingto the command input as a result of the manipulation of the manipulationunit 132, and resets a stop counter to be described later to zero. Here,for example, in a case where a command of giving a recording instructionis input, the control recording control unit 154 starts recording theimage data captured by the imaging unit 131.

When the recording is started, the control unit 133 controls the tallylamp 62 in the turn-off state in the left part of FIG. 8 so as to becomea tally lamp 62′ in a turn-on state in the middle part of FIG. 8. Notethat the tally lamp 23 of FIG. 1 is controlled in a way similar to thetally lamp 62 and is brought into the turn-on state when recording is inprogress.

In step S30 (FIG. 7), the display control unit 153 turns on the displayunit 61 into the display state, and the processing proceeds to step S25.For example, in the case of first processing, the display unit 61 isturned on into the display state. Therefore, the display state ismaintained.

By this processing, as indicated in the middle part of FIG. 8, thedisplay unit 61 is brought into the display state, and the imagecaptured by the imaging unit 131 is displayed on the display unit 61.Furthermore, at this time, the recording control unit 154 continuesfeeding the image captured by the imaging unit 131 to the displayapparatus 122, which is external equipment. Therefore, the displayapparatus 122 displays the image captured by the imaging unit 131 andfed from the recording control unit 154. Moreover, the tally lamp 62 iscontrolled to the turn-on state as indicated by the tally lamp 62′ ofFIG. 8.

In step S25, the display control unit 153 determines whether or not theremote manipulator 121 or 123 has been manipulated and a certain commandhas been input, and in the case of presence of the command from theremote manipulator 121 or 123 as a result of the manipulation of theremote manipulator 121 or 123, the processing proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, the control unit 133 executes the processing correspondingto the command input as a result of the manipulation of the remotemanipulator 121 or 123. Note that, in step S25, in a case where theremote manipulator 121 or 123 is not manipulated and a command is notinput, the processing of step S26 is skipped.

In step S27, the control unit 133 determines whether or not themanipulation unit 132 or the remote manipulator 121 or 123 has beenmanipulated and an instruction of ending an operation has been given,and ends the operation in a case where the instruction of end has beengiven. Furthermore, in a case where an instruction of ending anoperation is not given, the processing returns to step S12.

Furthermore, in a case where recording is started in any of steps S29and S26, when the processing of steps S12, S16, and S17 is performedafter the processing of steps S25 to S27, the processing returns to stepS18. At this time, in step S18, recording is determined to be inprogress, and the processing proceeds to step S19.

In step S19 (FIG. 6), the control unit 133 determines whether or not anabnormality for which a caution should be issued has occurred. Here, instep S19, in a case where it is determined that no abnormality hasoccurred, the processing proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the display control unit 153 determines whether or not thedisplay unit 61 is turned off into the turn-off state, and in a case ofnot being in the turn-off state, the processing proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, the stop counter for determining whether or not to bringthe display of the display unit 61, which is not illustrated, into theturn-off state is incremented by a predetermined value and counted up bythe display control unit 153.

In step S22 (FIG. 7), the display control unit 153 determines whether ornot the stop counter is larger than a predetermined value and the statein which the recording is started and the manipulation unit 132 is notmanipulated has elapsed longer than a predetermined time, and in a caseof not elapsing longer than the predetermined time, the processingproceeds to step S31.

In step S31, the display control unit 153 determines whether or not themanipulation unit 132 has been manipulated, i.e., whether or not anycommand has been input as a result of the manipulation, and in a casewhere the manipulation has not been performed or a command has not beeninput, the processing proceeds to step S30 and the display unit 61 isturned on into the display state, and the processing proceeds to stepS25.

In other words, the processing of steps S12, S16 to S22, S31, S30, andS25 to S27 is repeated until the predetermined time counted by the stopcounter elapses from the start of recording, and the count of the stopcounter is continued to be counted up. Then, in step S22 (FIG. 7), in acase where it is determined that the value of the stop counter is largerthan a predetermined value and the state in which the recording isstarted and the manipulation unit 132 is not manipulated elapses apredetermined time or longer, the processing proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the display control unit 153 turns off the display unit 61into the turn-off state, and the processing proceeds to step S24.

In other words, as a result of this processing, as illustrated in theright part of FIG. 8, the display unit 61 is turned off and the displayunit 61 is brought into the turn-off state. Even in this case, however,the image captured by the imaging unit 131 and fed from the recordingcontrol unit 154 is displayed on the display apparatus 122, which isexternal equipment. Moreover, as indicated by the tally lamp 62′ in theright part of FIG. 8, the tally lamp 62 is controlled into the turn-onstate indicating that recording is in progress.

In step S24, the control unit 133 determines whether or not themanipulation unit 132 has been manipulated, i.e., determines whether ornot the manipulation has been performed and any command has been input.In a case where the manipulation is not detected and a command has notbeen input, the processing proceeds to step S25.

Furthermore, in the following, when the recording is continued, there isno input command, and the state in which display for which a cautionshould be issued is absent continues, the display unit 61 remains in theturn-off state. Therefore, in step S20 (FIG. 6), the display unit 61 isdetermined to be in the turn-out state, and the processing from stepsS21 to S23 is skipped.

In other words, as a result of the repetition of the processing of stepsS12, S16 to S20 and S24 to S27, the state of the right part of FIG. 8 iscontinued.

Here, for example, in step S25, when the remote manipulator 121 or 123is manipulated and, for example, a command to stop recording is input,the recording is stopped by the processing of step S26.

Then, in step S18, it is determined that the recording is not inprogress, the processing proceeds to step S28.

In other words, in this case, since the processing of steps S12, S16 toS18, S28, S29 (however only in the case of Yes in S28), S30 and S25 toS27 is performed, as indicated in the left part of FIG. 8, when therecording is stopped, the tally lamp 62 is brought into the turn-offstate such that the processing of step S30 is invariably involved.Therefore, the display unit 61 is brought into the display state.Furthermore, by the processing of step S17, the image captured by theimaging unit 131 and fed from the recording control unit 154 continuesbeing displayed on the display apparatus 122, which is externalequipment.

Moreover, here, for example, in step S25, when the remote manipulator121 or 123 is manipulated and, for example, a command to start recordingis input again, recording is started by the processing of step S26.

Then, in step S18, since it is determined that the recording is inprogress, the processing proceeds to step S19. At this time, whendisplay content for which a caution should be issued is absent, theprocessing proceeds to step S20. Moreover, in step S20 (FIG. 6), sincethe display unit 61 is already in the display state, the processingproceeds to step S21.

In other words, in this case, the processing of steps S12, S16 to S22,S31, S30 and S25 to S27 is repeated, and the count of the stop countercontinues being counted up. Then, in step S22 (FIG. 7), in a case whereit is determined that the value of the stop counter is larger than apredetermined value and the state in which the recording is started andthe manipulation unit 132 is not manipulated elapses a predeterminedtime or longer, the processing proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the display control unit 153 turns off the display unit 61into the turn-off state, and the processing proceeds to step S24.

In other words, as a result of this processing, as illustrated in theright part of FIG. 8, the display unit 61 is turned off and the displayunit 61 is brought into the turn-off state. Even in this case, however,the image captured by the imaging unit 131 and fed from the recordingcontrol unit 154 is displayed on the display apparatus 122, which isexternal equipment. Moreover, as indicated by the tally lamp 62′ in theright part of FIG. 8, the tally lamp 62 is controlled into the turn-onstate indicating that recording is in progress.

Here, for example, in the processing of step S24, when the manipulationunit 132 is manipulated and a certain command is input, the processingproceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the control unit 133 executes processing corresponding tothe command input as a result of the manipulation of the manipulationunit 132 and moreover resets the stop counter to zero. The processingproceeds to step S30. Here, for example, in a case where a command thatgives an instruction of stopping the recording is input, the recordingcontrol unit 154 stops recording of the image data captured by theimaging unit 131.

When the recording is stopped, the control unit 133 performs control tocontrol the tally lamp 62 into the turn-off state as indicated in theleft part of FIG. 8. In this case, since the display unit 61 is turnedon into the display state by the processing of step S30, as illustratedin the left part of FIG. 8, the image captured by the display unit 61 isdisplayed. Furthermore, also at this time, the image captured by theimaging unit 131 and fed from the recording control unit 154 iscontinued to be displayed on the display apparatus 122, which isexternal equipment, by the processing of step S17.

Moreover, here, since the stop counter is reset, for example, when themanipulation unit 132 is manipulated during the period from the start ofthe recording until the display unit 61 is turned off in the processingof step S31, the reset of the stop counter is repeated each time. As aresult, even when recording has been started, in a case where themanipulation unit 132 is subsequently manipulated, the display of thedisplay unit 61 is continued until the predetermined time elapses fromthe last manipulation of the manipulation unit 132.

Furthermore, when it is determined in step S19 that display content forwhich a caution should be issued is present, the processing proceeds tostep S30. The display unit 61 is turned on into the display state, anddisplays information for which a caution should be issued. In otherwords, in this case, the processing of steps S12, S16 to S19, S30 andS25 to S27 is repeated, and, in this case, for example, in a case wherethe battery 137 has a small remaining charge level or an abnormality,e.g., overheat, is detected, these pieces of information are displayed,and the moving image captured by the imaging unit 131 is displayed.

To summarize the above processing, the image captured by the imagingunit 131 continues being displayed on the display unit 61 and thedisplay apparatus 122, which is external equipment, until the recordingis started in the first processing.

Here, when the manipulation unit 132 of the main body or the remotemanipulator 121 or 123 is manipulated and an instruction of recording isgiven, a recording operation is started, an instruction of recording isgiven, and the state in which the manipulation unit 132 is notmanipulated continues for a predetermined time, the display of thedisplay unit 61 is controlled into the turn-off state. In the periodfrom the start of the recording until the predetermined time elapses,the stop counter is reset each time when the manipulation unit 132 ofthe main body is manipulated and any manipulation including themanipulation related to recording is detected. Thus, the display unit 61is turned on into the display state until the predetermined time elapsesafter the last manipulation of the manipulation unit 132. When thepredetermined time elapses from the last manipulation of themanipulation unit 132, the display unit 61 is controlled into theturn-off state.

Moreover, in a case where the manipulation of the remote manipulator 121or 123 is detected with the display unit 61 being in the turn-off state,when the recording is in progress, the control unit 133 executes acommand corresponding to the detected manipulation content. However, thedisplay unit 61 is not turned on into the display state, but remains inthe turn-off state. However, in a case where the detected manipulationcontent is to perform the manipulation of stopping the recording, therecording becomes not in progress. At this time, the display unit 61returns to the display state.

Furthermore, in a case where a remaining battery charge level is smallor an abnormality, such as overheat, is detected, the display unit 61 isconstantly turned on into the display state, and the display unit 61continues displaying information indicating the occurrence of theabnormality. Note that, in a case where all abnormalities are detected,the display state may not be restored from the turn-off state. Theturn-off state may be switched to the display state, for example, onlyin a case where an abnormality of a specific type occurs among detectedabnormalities, or for example, only in a case where an urgentabnormality occurs.

As a result, the display unit 61, which is not frequently viewed afterthe recording is started, can be brought into the turn-off state when apredetermined time elapses without user's consciousness, enabling areduction in power consumption. Furthermore, in a case where imaging isperformed in dark environments, e.g., a concert hall, when the displayunit 61 is turned on over a minimally required time, it is possible toprevent to emit annoying light to the surrounding area.

Note that, heretofore, the description is given of the example in whichthe captured image data is output to the display apparatus 122, which isexternal equipment, from the imaging apparatus 11 and displayed on thedisplay apparatus 122.

However, even during use in a state in which the display apparatus 122,which is external equipment, is not connected, the processing of stepS17 described above is merely skipped and the imaging apparatus 11 issolely operated without the display apparatus 122 illustrated in FIG. 8.Therefore, a detailed description is omitted.

In the above, the description is given of the example in which a movingimage is captured by the imaging apparatus 11. However, theabove-described imaging processing may be applied not only to a movingimage, but also to capturing of various images. For example, even in acase of capturing a still image with long-time exposure or repeatedlyand continuously capturing an image including a still image atpredetermined time intervals, the above-described imaging processing canbe applied and a similar effect can be obtained.

Furthermore, in the above, the description is given of the example inwhich the display unit 61 is controlled to one of the states: thedisplay state and the turn-off state. However, in a case of beingcontrolled to the turn-off state, the display unit 61 may be controlledto a dimming state (for example, a state of brightness such as 30% or50%) with reduced brightness instead of the turn-off state. Furthermore,the brightness may be gradually reduced in accordance with the elapsedtime. For example, in a case where a predetermined time elapses in astate in which the manipulation is not accepted in the manipulation unit132 after the start of recording, the brightness may be set to about50%, which is still the display state, and in a case where apredetermined time has further elapsed, the brightness may be set toabout 20%, which is still the display state, or in a case where apredetermined time has further elapsed, a full turn-off state may beprovided.

Furthermore, in the above, the description is given of the example inwhich

in a case where a predetermined time elapses in a state in which themanipulation unit 132 provided in the main body of the imaging apparatus11 is not manipulated after the recording is started, i.e., after themanipulation indicating the start of recording is accepted, the displayunit 61 is brought into the turn-off state and the display unit 61 doesnot return to the display state until the manipulation unit 132 in themain body of the imaging apparatus 11 is manipulated or the recording isstopped.

However, regarding the case where a command corresponding to themanipulation for stopping recording is accepted from any of the remotemanipulators 121 and 123, the display unit 61 may not be brought intothe display state, but remains in the turn-off state such that theturn-off state is maintained until the manipulation unit 132 of the mainbody is manipulated.

Furthermore, in a case where a predetermined time elapses without themanipulation unit 132 being manipulated after a command corresponding tothe manipulation of giving an instruction of any predetermined operationother than the recording operation is accepted, the display unit 61 maybe brought into the turn-off state.

For example, in a case where a predetermined time elapses in a state inwhich the manipulation unit 132 of the main body of the imagingapparatus 11 is not manipulated after the power button, which is a partof the manipulation unit 132, of the imaging apparatus 11 is manipulatedand the power is turned on, the display unit 61 may be controlled to theturn-off state and then the display unit 61 may be returned to thedisplay state in a case where the manipulation unit 132 is manipulated.Furthermore, similarly, in a case where a predetermined time elapses ina state in which the manipulation unit 132 of the main body of theimaging apparatus 11 is not manipulated after the manipulation unit 132for giving an instruction of various setting operations accepts anypredetermined manipulation, the display unit 61 may be controlled to theturn-off state and then the display unit 61 may be returned to thedisplay state in a case where a manipulation of giving an instruction ofany operation is accepted by the manipulation unit 132. In both cases,it is possible to achieve power saving, and it is possible to suppressemission of annoying light to the surrounding area in a dark place suchas a concert hall.

<Example of Execution by Software>

Incidentally, the series of processing described above can be executedby hardware, but it can also be executed by software. In a case wherethe series of processing is executed by software, a program thatconstitutes the software is installed, from a recording medium, in acomputer incorporated in a dedicated hardware or, for example, in ageneral-purpose personal computer and the like that can execute variousfunctions when various programs are installed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a configuration example of a general-purpose personalcomputer. This personal computer includes a central processing unit(CPU) 1001. An input/output interface 1005 is connected to the CPU 1001via a bus 1004. A read only memory (ROM) 1002 and a random access memory(RAM) 1003 are connected to the bus 1004.

An input unit 1006 including an input device, e.g., a keyboard or amouse with which the user inputs a manipulation command, an output unit1007 for outputting a processing manipulation screen or a processingresult image to a display device, a storage unit 1008 including a harddisk drive and the like for storing a program or various data, and acommunication unit 1009 including a local area network (LAN) adapter andthe like and executing communication processing via a networkrepresented by the Internet are connected to the input/output interface1005. Furthermore, a drive 1010 is connected that reads and writes datawith respect to a removable medium 1011 including a magnetic disk(including a flexible disk), an optical disk (including a compactdisc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), amagneto-optical disk (including a mini disc (MD)), a semiconductormemory, and the like.

The CPU 1001 executes various processing according to a program storedin the ROM 1002 or a program that is read from the removable medium1011, e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, ora semiconductor memory, installed in the storage unit 1008, and loadedin the RAM 1003 from the storage unit 1008. Data or the like requiredfor the CPU 1001 to execute various processing are also stored in theRAM 1003 as appropriate.

In the computer configured in the manner described above, the series ofprocessing described above is performed, for example, such that the CPU1001 loads the program stored in the storage unit 1008 into the RAM 1003via the input/output interface 1005 and the bus 1004 and executes theprogram.

The program to be executed by the computer (CPU 1001) can be provided bybeing recorded on the removable medium 1011, for example, as a packagemedium or the like. Furthermore, the program can be provided via a wiredor wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, theInternet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

In the computer, the program can be installed in the storage unit 1008via the input/output interface 1005 by attaching the removable medium1011 to the drive 1010. Furthermore, the program can be received by thecommunication unit 1009 via a wired or wireless transmission medium andinstalled in the storage unit 1008. In addition, the program can bepre-installed in the ROM 1002 or the storage unit 1008.

Note that the program executed by the computer may be a program by whichprocessing is performed in a chronological order according to the orderdescribed in the present description or may be a program by whichprocessing is performed in parallel or at a required timing when a callis made or the like.

Note that the CPU 1001 in FIG. 10 corresponds to the control unit 133,the input unit 1006 and the output unit 1007 correspond to theinput/output terminal 136, and the communication unit 1009 correspondsto the communication unit 135.

Furthermore, in the present description, a system means a cluster of aplurality of constituent elements (apparatuses, modules (parts), etc.)and it does not matter whether or not all the constituent elements arein the same casing. Therefore, a plurality of apparatuses that arehoused in different casings and connected by a network, and a singleapparatus in which a plurality of modules are housed in a single casingare both the system.

Note that the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to theaforementioned embodiment, but various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the gist of the present disclosure.

For example, the present disclosure can adopt a configuration of cloudcomputing in which one function is shared and jointly processed by aplurality of apparatuses via a network.

Furthermore, each step described in the above-described flowcharts canbe executed by a single apparatus or shared and executed by a pluralityof apparatuses.

Moreover, in a case where a plurality of processing is included in asingle step, the plurality of processing included in the single step canbe executed by a single apparatus or can be shared and executed by aplurality of apparatuses.

Note that the present disclosure may adopt the configuration describedbelow.

<1> An imaging apparatus including:

an imaging unit configured to capture an image;

a manipulation unit configured to accept a user manipulation and give aninstruction of an operation depending on content of the acceptedmanipulation; and

a display control unit configured to control display of the capturedimage, in which

the display control unit controls the display of the image from adisplay state to a turn-off state in a case where a predetermined timeelapses in a state in which manipulation with respect to themanipulation unit is not detected after start of a predeterminedoperation.

<2> The imaging apparatus according to <1>, in which

the display control unit controls the display of the image from thedisplay state to the turn-off state in a case where a predetermined timeelapses in a state in which manipulation with respect to themanipulation unit is not accepted after start of a recording operationas the predetermined operation.

<3> The imaging apparatus according to <2>, in which

the display control unit controls the display of the image from theturn-off state to the display state in a case where the recordingoperation is stopped after control is performed from the display statein which the image is displayed to the turn-off state in which thedisplay of the image is turned off.

<4> The imaging apparatus according to <3>, in which

the display control unit controls the display of the image from theturn-off state to the display state in a case where manipulation isaccepted by the manipulation unit after the display of the image iscontrolled from the display state to the turn-off state.

<5> The imaging apparatus according to <2>, further including:

a reception unit configured to receive a signal from a remotemanipulation unit that is external to an apparatus main body andconfigured to accept a user manipulation and transmit an instructiondepending on the content of the accepted manipulation as the signal, inwhich

the display control unit controls the display of the image from thedisplay state to the turn-off state in a case where a predetermined timeelapses in a state in which manipulation with respect to themanipulation unit is not accepted and in a state in which the signalfrom the remote manipulation unit is not received via the reception unitafter start of the recording operation as the predetermined operation.

<6> The imaging apparatus according to <5>, in which

the display control unit performs control to maintain the turn-off stateeven in a case where the signal from the remote manipulation unit isreceived via the reception unit after the display of the image iscontrolled from the display state to the turn-off state.

<7> The imaging apparatus according to <5>, in which

the reception unit receives an instruction from a remote commander or asmartphone depending on the content of the user manipulation withrespect to the remote commander or the smartphone as the remotemanipulation unit.

<8> The imaging apparatus according to any one of <2> to <7>, furtherincluding:

an input/output unit configured to constantly output the image capturedby the imaging unit to external equipment connected to the outside.

<9> The imaging apparatus according to <8>, in which

the input/output unit accepts, via the external equipment, input of thesignal from the remote manipulation unit that is external to theexternal equipment and configured to accept the user manipulation andtransmit an instruction depending on the content of the acceptedmanipulation as the signal, and

the display control unit controls the display of the image from thedisplay state to the turn-off state in a case where a predetermined timeelapses in a state in which the manipulation with respect to themanipulation unit is not accepted and in a state in which themanipulation with respect to the remote manipulation unit is notaccepted via the input/output unit after start of the predeterminedoperation.

<10> The imaging apparatus according to <9>, in which

the display control unit performs control to maintain the turn-off stateeven when the signal from the remote manipulation unit is accepted viathe input/output unit after the display of the image is controlled fromthe display state to the turn-off state.

<11> The imaging apparatus according to <8>, in which

the external equipment is a display apparatus configured to display animage captured by the imaging unit.

<12> The imaging apparatus according to any one of <1> to <11>, in which

the predetermined operation is a recording operation, a power-onoperation, or various setting operations.

<13> The imaging apparatus according to any one of <1> to <12>, furtherincluding:

an abnormality detection unit configured to detect occurrence of anabnormality, in which

in a case where an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detectionunit, the display control unit controls the display of the image to thedisplay state.

<14> The imaging apparatus according to any one of <1> to <13>, furtherincluding:

a setting unit configured to perform setting related to imaging by theimaging unit, in which

under a condition that the setting related to the imaging by the imagingunit is completed by the setting unit, the display control unitscontrols the display of the image from the display state to the turn-offstate in a case where a predetermined time elapses in a state in whichthe manipulation with respect to the manipulation unit is not acceptedafter start of the predetermined operation.

<15> An imaging method including steps of: capturing an image;

accepting a user manipulation and giving an instruction of an operationdepending on content of the accepted manipulation; and

controlling display of the captured image, in which

the display of the image is controlled from a display state to aturn-off state in a case where a predetermined time elapses in a statein which manipulation with respect to the manipulation unit is notdetected after start of a predetermined operation.

<16> A program causing a computer to function as:

an imaging unit configured to capture an image;

a manipulation unit configured to accept a user manipulation and give aninstruction of an operation depending on content of the acceptedmanipulation; and

a display control unit configured to control display of the capturedimage, in which

the display control unit controls the display of the image from adisplay state to a turn-off state in a case where a predetermined timeelapses in a state in which manipulation with respect to themanipulation unit is not detected after start of a predeterminedoperation.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   11 Imaging apparatus-   23 Tally lamp-   61 Display unit-   62 Tally lamp-   121 Remote manipulator-   122 Display apparatus (external equipment)-   123 External equipment remote manipulator-   131 Imaging unit-   132 Manipulation unit-   133 Control unit-   134 Removable recording medium-   135 Communication unit-   136 Input/output terminal-   137 Battery-   151 Setting unit-   152 OSD image generation unit-   153 Display control unit-   154 Recording control unit

The invention claimed is:
 1. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a centralprocessing unit (CPU) configured to: control capture of an image;control acceptance of a first user manipulation; give a firstinstruction of an operation based on content of the accepted first usermanipulation; control display of the captured image from a display stateto a turn-off state based on elapse of a first time in a state in whichthe first user manipulation for controlling the display is unacceptedafter start of a recording operation, wherein the display of thecaptured image is turned off in the turn-off state; and control thedisplay of the captured image from the turn-off state to the displaystate based on stopping of the recording operation.
 2. The imagingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CPU is further configured tocontrol the display of the captured image from the turn-off state to thedisplay state based on acceptance of a second user manipulation afterthe display of the captured image is in the turn-off state.
 3. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CPU is furtherconfigured to: control reception of a signal from a remote manipulatorexternal to the imaging apparatus; accept a third user manipulationbased on the signal; transmit a second instruction based on content ofthe accepted third user manipulation; and control the display of thecaptured image from the display state to the turn-off state based on theelapse of the first time in the state in which the first usermanipulation is unaccepted and based on elapse of a second time in astate in which the signal from the remote manipulator is not receivedafter start of the recording operation.
 4. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the CPU is further configured to performcontrol to maintain the turn-off state even where the signal from theremote manipulator is received after the display of the captured imageis controlled from the display state to the turn-off state.
 5. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the CPU is furtherconfigured to receive a third instruction from a remote commander or asmartphone based on the content of the third user manipulation, and theremote commander or the smartphone corresponds to the remotemanipulator.
 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theCPU is further configured to constantly output the captured image to anexternal equipment connected to outside the imaging apparatus.
 7. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the CPU is furtherconfigured to: control acceptance, via the external equipment, of inputof a signal from a remote manipulator that is external to the externalequipment; accept a fourth user manipulation based on the signal;transmit a fourth instruction based on content of the accepted fourthuser manipulation; and control the display of the captured image fromthe display state to the turn-off state based on the elapse of the firsttime in the state in which the first user manipulation is unaccepted andbased on elapse of a third time in a state in which the fourth usermanipulation is unaccepted after start of the recording operation. 8.The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the CPU is furtherconfigured to perform control to maintain the turn-off state even wherethe signal from the remote manipulator is accepted after the display ofthe captured image is controlled from the display state to the turn-offstate.
 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein theexternal equipment is a display apparatus that displays the capturedimage.
 10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firstuser manipulation corresponds to the recording operation, a power-onoperation, or various setting operations.
 11. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the CPU is further configured to: detectoccurrence of an abnormality; and control the display of the capturedimage from the turn-off state to the display state based on detection ofthe abnormality.
 12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe CPU is further configured to: control set up of a setting related tothe capture image; and based on completion of the setting related to thecaptured image, control the display of the captured image from thedisplay state to the turn-off state based on elapse of the first time inthe state in which the first user manipulation is unaccepted after thestart of the recording operation.
 13. An imaging method, comprising:capturing an image; accepting a user manipulation, giving an instructionof an operation based on content of the accepted user manipulation;controlling display of the captured image from a display state to aturn-off state based on elapse of a time in a state in which the usermanipulation for controlling the display is unaccepted after start of arecording operation, wherein the display of the captured image is turnedoff in the turn-off state; and controlling the display of the capturedimage from the turn-off state to the display state based on stopping ofthe recording operation.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving stored thereon computer-executable instructions, that whenexecuted by a processor, cause the processor to execute operations, theoperations comprising: capturing an image; accepting a usermanipulation, giving an instruction of an operation based on content ofthe accepted user manipulation; controlling display of the capturedimage from a display state to a turn-off state based on elapse of a timein a state in which the user manipulation for controlling the display isunaccepted after start of a recording operation, wherein the display ofthe captured image is turned off in the turn-off state; and controllingthe display of the captured image from the turn-off state to the displaystate based on stopping of the recording operation.